Individuals and doctors often think of anxiety and depression, frequent infections, concentration difficulty, low energy, nervousness and even the inability to cope with stress – as unrelated issues of multiple causes.
It’s a laundry list of symptoms. The same goes for children- ADHD, mood swings, Asperger’s and autism, failure to thrive…
Carl Pfeiiffer, MD. PhD, in the 1970’s had a different point of view. What if, in many cases, these were all expressions of a primary biochemical imbalance? Pfeiffer was highly concerned with a genetic condition often overlooked, that causes severe zinc and B6 deficiencies and affects just about every process in the body. Read on, because the information described below has been life changing for my patients and may be life changing for yourself or a loved one.
Pyrrole Disorder is a genetically determined chemical imbalance involved in the production and metabolism of hemoglobin (red blood cells). Just as any cellular process produces wastes or byproducts, Pyrrole Disorder involves the release of a metabolite called hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL). This is also called Pyrrole. Individuals with Pyrrole Disorder produce too much of this byproduct and it is neurotoxic. Pyrroles is also known as Pyrroluria, Kryptopyrroluria, Pyrroluria, Pyrolle Disorder, Mauve Factor and Kryptopyroles.
What’s the big deal?
The Pyrrole metabolite HPL has a unique neurotoxic effect on the body. In people with Pyrrole Disorder, it binds up with two highly important nutrients in the body, zinc and B6, making them virtually unavailable for cellular functions.1-7 Additional nutrients bound by HPL include B7-Biotin and Omega 6 GLA.
As a neurotoxin, Pyrroles can disrupt neural signalling between the nerves and brain causing oxidative damage to brain, nerve tissue as well as organs and cells. One of the ways this occurs involves hemoglobin’s ability to deliver oxygen to cells. As we now understand, the pyrroles deplete zinc , B6 and biotin levels.
These three nutrients are required for the production of heme that carries oxygen via hemoglobin to cells. Heme also carries the detoxifying enzyme cytrochrome P450 to cells. The presence of the pyrroles leads to neuronal and cellular damage and death. 8,9,10,11,12
Nobody has ever mentioned this to me before…
Both zinc and B6 play a significant role as co-factors in countless cellular processes including energy production, detoxification and synthesis of various hormones including Serotonin. That is perhaps why people with Pyrroles Disorder suffer from such a variety of conditions including:
Anxiety, abnormal fat distribution, Asperger’s, autism, ADD/ADHD , depression, episodic anger, explosive anger, frequent infections, inability to tan, mood swings, morning nausea and poor morning appetite, nervousness, poor dream recall, poor stress control, poor short term memory, sensitivity and intolerance to bright lights, sounds and smells, tantrums and withdrawal.
Individuals with Pyrroles may experience mild, moderate or severe symptoms of the above, depending on the severity of the imbalance. Inefficient production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety and depression is one of the major features of Pyrroles. Pyroluria has also been associated with lower catalase levels, a major antioxidant often deficient in individuals with schizophrenia and autism.13, 14, 15
Other symptoms and conditions that have been associated with Pyrroles include:
Acute Intermittent Porphyria, alcoholism, allergies, criminal behavior, delayed puberty, Down syndrome, dyslexia, eczema, epilepsy, frequent fevers/colds/infections, hormonal imbalances, joint pains, learning difficulties, lack of hair on head/eyebrows/eye lashes, loss of libido, menstrual irregularities, schizophrenia, substance abuse, Tourette’s syndrome, violent behavior, unusual/unpleasant body odor and more.
A 2008 study16 presented percentage relationships between various neuro-psychological behavioral conditions and presence of high HPL levels.D
| Diagnosed Ailment | % of HPL |
| Acute intermittent porphyria | 100 |
| Latent acute intermittent porphyria | 70 |
| Down syndrome | 71 |
| Schizophrenia acute | 59-80 |
| Schizophrenia chronic | 40-50 |
| Criminal behavior: Adults with sudden deviance | 71 |
| Criminal behavior: Youths, violent offenders | 33 |
| Manic Depression | 47-50 |
| Depression (non schizophrenic) | 12-46 |
| Autism | 46-48 |
| Epilepsy | 44 |
| Learning Disabilities | 40-47 |
| ADD/ADHD | 40-47 |
| Neuroses | 20 |
| Alcoholism | 20-84 |
Testing for Pyrroles
Pyrroles is clinically diagnosed by measuring elevated levels of HPL in a quantitative urine test. Our centre works with lab companies in both Australia and the United States that specialize in detecting the HPL levels and accurately diagnosing the level of Pyrroles present. Performing this test is the most appropriate first step in determining whether or not an individual has Pyrroles.
What causes Pyrroles?
Research indicates that Pyrroles is a genetic condition and there is a greater risk for Pyrroles if a parent, grandparent or other family member has suffered from alcoholism, depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia or has committed suicide. High stress levels increase the production of HPL in the blood, which as a neurotoxin, exacerbates the symptoms.2, 6, 17 Additionally, poor nutritional and dietary choices result in a deficiency in vital nutrients like zinc, B6 and biotin. This nutritional deficiency leads to inflammatory cascades and physiological stresses that increase HPL release causing further loss of the already deficient nutrients.16
Use of alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs have a similar detrimental effect, worsening the symptoms. This all leads to a vicious cycle. Basically, any oxidative stress can elevate the urinary pyrrole levels. Aside from diet, common aggravating factors include physical accidents, illnesses, infections, emotional trauma and toxic metals. Since pyrolurics are stress intolerant, there is an inherent vulnerability to cumulative stresses over time. Relapses may occur during periods of significant duress.
Pyrroles can be effectively managed
This complicated health issue can be effectively treated to address the underlying causes. As such I recommend a three tier approach.
- Replacement of zinc and B6 to replenish the depleted supply in the body. As a patient, it is imperative to work with a trained physician who can effectively titrate supplementation to the individual’s age, body weight, lab results, severity of symptoms and ability to metabolize supplements. Excessive amounts of zinc and B6 can be toxic and using the wrong forms may be ineffective.16, 18
- Complete nutritional assessment to promote nutrient dense healthy eating habits. Avoidance of inflammatory foods to reduce oxidative stress.
- Repair and rebuild the digestive system, enhancing its capacity to fully assimilate nutrients from supplements and food. This is particularly important if the individual also has Leaky Gut Syndrome, an intestinal permeability in which undigested food particles, bacteria and other toxins pass directly into the blood stream. It is a common factor in individuals that suffer Pyrroles and studies show that zinc deficiency increases intestinal permeability.19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Disclaimer. The information represented in this article is meant to provide concepts from evidence based research. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition. For appropriate treatment methods please contact your healthcare provider.
